2011-07-14

The Clockwork City

The Clockwork City is an urban structure concept whereby entire districts move, thus negating the need for transport systems. Need to get to work? Wait 10 minutes until your work place moves into walking distance:

We really like the animation and communication of the concept by T0R0YD. Modelling was carried out in 3D Max with rendering via Mental Ray.

Judging by the shadow on the surrounding plain from the first overview shots... it appears that there would be some space underneath, therefore the possibility of 'loading docks' and service tunnels that can be used for delivery of heavy goods.

Anyway, in a future where something like this is possible, I assume we have found a cheap source of energy, and probably invented exoskeleton suits that enable people to lift heavy construction materials.

I love it! Looks like something out of a Final Fantasy game (or should have a FF or an anime series set within a context like this!)

I'm sorry to say that this is the most stupid idea I have ever seen for a City Project.

Since when "to be on time for work" is the most important thing in the world? Maybe it's important in some sense, but a city should be designed for PEOPLE not workers so: No noises and no floor movement. Parks, big streets, bicycles and preferably no shops, no advertisements... just people.

ACtually you could have transport systems without having to relly on cars. Right now I´m living in Tokyo, and most people conmute to work on train, and most cars you see on the streets are long distance or heavy delivery, and it´s simply great. By doing this you take out lots of noise and polution, so I can see the benefits of having a "walking only" city.

Question is ¿how much energy would be needed to run a system like that? I guess that too much, and actually we can get results quite close to this with a decent public transport system.Anyway it might be a good idea for a space station, as you could also use the movement to create gravity.Actually there´s a game that features that same idea, it´s called Anachronox.

Anyway I loved the animation and the idea. Thanks for sharing it with everyone

A possible modification to make it usable would be making rings underground beetween every part of the city and a system of elevators to go up to the surface. Thereby you can use cars, but only if it's necessary.

What about the weight of the building structures, how much force and energy will be required to move the entire district? Maybe it is feasible on the moon where there will less gravity, so the whole structure can maybe float a bit and pushed a bit to go in circles. I have never experienced making love while the whole room with the bed is moving. I hope that will be fun for a while.

This is something come from an anxious mind, out of reality. Beyond the energy comsuption and mechanics maintenance where are the trees, the gardens, the streets and reference places where people get used to it? In this system everything moves all the time. Forget it. It does not contribute to the individual happiness.

Although not fully resolved, this concept can be a quantum leap in urban sustainability. Not only does it maximise space utility by eliminating roads for cars, it also replaces thousands of engines with several running parts to service the basic function of mobility. I think we can easily dismiss criticism about the sense of place if we recognise that this is a city based on ritual and time (the essentials of place making). The main technical challenge here is to reduce friction and control the city's buoyancy, a simplified problem.

Just an opinion from an architecture graduate. Don't agree with most pessimistic critiques. I think this idea if pulled through is a very practical one!

Well you have to agree that this is not very good idea for future city. Way too much different kind of problems and inconveniences. But still I liked the idea a lot! Very interesting approach and it gives me visions of my own.Do not shoot it down just because its too unrealistic and spent a little time to admire the nice modelling and idea.